Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Мій друг завжди залишається щасливим після пробіжки. - My friend always remains happy after a run.

The verb залишається means “remains” or “stays.” It conveys that the subject—мій друг (“my friend”)—continues to be in the state of happiness after his run. This choice of verb emphasizes the persistence of his mood rather than simply stating a fact.

Why is the adjective щасливим in the instrumental case?

In Ukrainian, when describing a subject’s state using verbs like залишатися, the adjective is placed in the instrumental case. Here, щасливим is the instrumental form of щасливий (“happy”), and it agrees with мій друг in both gender (masculine) and number, showing the resultant state after the action.

Why is the noun пробіжки in the genitive case after після?

The preposition після (“after”) requires its following noun to be in the genitive case. Thus, пробіжки is the genitive singular form of пробіжка, meaning “run” or “jog,” indicating the time or circumstance following which the state of happiness occurs.

How does the word order in this Ukrainian sentence compare to typical English word order?

Ukrainian word order is more flexible than English. In this sentence, the adverb завжди (“always”) is positioned between the subject (мій друг) and the verb (залишається) to emphasize the habitual nature of the action. While English might place adverbs differently, the meaning remains clear due to Ukrainian’s reliance on word endings to indicate grammatical relationships.

How would the sentence change if it referred to a female friend instead of a male friend?

For a female friend, you would adjust both the subject and the adjective. Instead of Мій друг you would use Моя подруга (“my friend” in the feminine form). Additionally, the adjective must agree in gender; therefore, щасливим would change to щасливою, the feminine instrumental form, to properly describe the state for a female subject.

What nuance does залишається add compared to simply using the verb є (“is”)?

Using залишається suggests that the state of being happy is maintained or continues after the run—it implies a cause-and-effect relationship. In contrast, є is a simple copula that only states existence or identity without highlighting the continuity or resulting condition after an event.